Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus for displaying an image to a user includes: a display panel configured to generate visible light; and an optical functional layer including: a matrix mixed with a plurality of optical functional particles that are colored, wherein the optical functional layer is at a side of the display panel such that at least a part of the visible light from the display panel would pass through the optical functional layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/641,112, filed on Mar. 6, 2015, which claims priority to and thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0122928, filed on Sep.16, 2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure ofeach of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a displayapparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Display apparatuses have recently been used in various applications.Also, as thicknesses and weights of display apparatuses have decreased,display apparatuses have been more widely used.

Display apparatuses include a display device that may provide an imageto a user by generating at least one visible light.

A display apparatus includes various members in order to improve thequality of an image that is provided to a user. Various attempts havebeen made to improve image quality characteristics such as a viewingangle or color reproduction.

However, there are limitations to improving image qualitycharacteristics of display apparatuses. For example, as displayapparatuses have larger sizes and higher definition, it is moredifficult to improve image quality characteristics.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present invention include a displayapparatus having improved image quality characteristics.

Additional aspects of the present invention will be set forth in part inthe description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a displayapparatus for displaying an image to a user includes: a display panelconfigured to generate visible light; and an optical functional layerincluding: a matrix mixed with a plurality of optical functionalparticles that are colored, wherein the optical functional layer is at aside of the display panel such that at least a part of the visible lightfrom the display panel would pass through the optical functional layer.

The plurality of optical functional particles may be configured toabsorb visible light of at least one color, and to transmit or diffusevisible light of other colors, from among the visible light generated bythe display panel.

The plurality of optical functional particles may include a same tint asat least one color of visible light generated by the display panel.

The plurality of optical functional particles may include a chromaticmaterial of one color and/or a chromatic material of an other color.

The chromatic material of the one color and/or the chromatic material ofthe other color may include a dye material.

The chromatic material of the one color and the chromatic material ofthe other color may be mixed with each other.

The chromatic material of the one color and/or the chromatic material ofthe other color may be formed on surfaces of the plurality of opticalfunctional particles.

The chromatic material of the one color and/or the chromatic material ofthe other color may be formed inside the plurality of optical functionalparticles.

The chromatic material of the one color and the chromatic material ofthe other color may have different colors selected from among red,green, and blue.

The plurality of optical functional particles may include at least firstoptical functional particles and second optical functional particles,wherein the first optical functional particles include a chromaticmaterial of a first color or a chromatic material of a second color thatis different from the first color, and wherein the second opticalfunctional particles include a chromatic material of the first color ora chromatic material of a third color that is different from the firstcolor.

The plurality of optical functional particles may further include thirdoptical functional particles, and the third optical functional particlesmay include a chromatic material of the second color or a chromaticmaterial of the third color.

The first color, the second color, and the third color may berespectively red, green, and blue.

The first optical functional particles may include a red dye materialand a green dye material, the second optical functional particlesinclude a red dye material and a blue dye material, and the thirdoptical functional particles include a green dye material and a blue dyematerial.

The display apparatus may further include optical functional particlesthat are transparent or white.

The matrix may include an organic material.

The display apparatus may further include a polarization layer on theoptical functional layer, wherein the optical functional layer isbetween the display panel and the polarization layer, and wherein thematrix contacts the polarization layer and the display panel.

The display panel may include at least one display device, and the atleast one display device may include a first electrode, a secondelectrode, and an intermediate layer that is disposed between the firstelectrode and the second electrode and may be configured to generatevisible light.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a displayapparatus for displaying an image to a user includes: a display panelthat includes a plurality of subpixels configured to generate differentcolors of visible light; and an optical functional layer including amatrix mixed with a plurality of optical functional particles that arecolored, wherein the optical functional layer is configured to absorbvisible light generated by at least one subpixel of the plurality ofsubpixels, and to transmit or diffuse visible light generated by anothersubpixel of the plurality of subpixels.

The plurality of subpixels may include a first subpixel, a secondsubpixel, and a third subpixel, wherein the first subpixel, the secondsubpixel, and the third subpixel may be configured to generate visiblelight of different colors, wherein the plurality of optical functionalparticles of the optical functional layer includes first opticalfunctional particles, second optical functional particles, and thirdoptical functional particles, wherein the first optical functionalparticles are configured to absorb visible light generated by the firstsubpixel and the second subpixel and to transmit and diffuse at least apart of visible light generated by the third subpixel, wherein thesecond optical functional particles are configured to absorb visiblelight generated by the first subpixel and the third subpixel and totransmit and diffuse at least a part of visible light generated by thesecond subpixel, and wherein the third optical functional particles areconfigured to absorb visible light generated by the second subpixel andthe third subpixel and to transmit and diffuse at least a part ofvisible light generated by the first subpixel.

The first subpixel may be configured to generate visible light having ared tint, the second subpixel may be configured to generate visiblelight having a green tint, and the third subpixel may be configured togenerate visible light having a blue tint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the present invention will become apparentand more readily appreciated from the following description of theembodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion K ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion L ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion M ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion N ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of FIG.11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion O ofFIG. 13;

FIGS. 15, 16A, 16B, and 17 are graphs illustrating image qualitycharacteristics of a display apparatus, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion P ofFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of FIG.19;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to another embodiment; and

FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion Q ofFIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may include various embodiments and modifications,and exemplary embodiments thereof will be illustrated in the drawingsand will be described herein in detail. The effects and features of thepresent invention and the accompanying methods thereof will becomeapparent from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the presentinvention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and may beembodied in various modes.

It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These elements are only used todistinguish one element from another.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may beconsidered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and“utilized,” respectively.

As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms areused as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and areintended to account for the inherent deviations in measured orcalculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill inthe art.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on”, “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “adjacent to” anotherelement or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, coupled to, oradjacent to the other element or layer, or one or more interveningelements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element or layeris referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to”,“directly coupled to”, or “immediately adjacent to” another element orlayer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or“comprising” used herein specify the presence of stated features orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features or components.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or element is referredto as being “formed on,” another layer, region, or element, it can bedirectly or indirectly formed on the other layer, region, or element.That is, for example, intervening layers, regions, or elements may bepresent. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an exampleor illustration.

Sizes of elements may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation. Inother words, since sizes and thicknesses of elements in the drawings arearbitrarily illustrated for convenience of explanation, the followingembodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

In the following examples, the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are notlimited to three axes of the rectangular coordinate system, and may beinterpreted in a broader sense. For example, the x-axis, the y-axis, andthe z-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may representdifferent directions that are not perpendicular to one another.

When a certain embodiment of the present invention may be implementeddifferently, a specific process order may be performed differently fromthe described order. For example, two consecutively described processesmay be performed substantially at the same time or performed in an orderopposite to the described order.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fullywith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplaryembodiments of the present invention are shown. In the drawings, thesame or corresponding elements are denoted by the same referencenumerals and a repeated explanation thereof will not be given.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus 100according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is anenlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion K of FIG. 1. FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the apparatus 100 includes a displaypanel 110 and an optical functional layer 120.

The display panel 110 displays an image to a user. That is, although notshown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the display panel 110 may include a displaydevice that may generate visible light that is to be provided to theuser. Any of various suitable devices, for example, an organiclight-emitting device or a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, may beused (e.g., utilized) as the display device. Also, any of varioussuitable types of display devices that may generate an image may beselectively used as the display device that is included in the displaypanel 110.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the display panel 110 providesan image upward, that is, from the bottom to the top in FIG. 1.

The optical functional layer 120 includes a matrix 125 and opticalfunctional particles 121.

The matrix 125 may function as a base for the optical functional layer120. The matrix 125 may be formed of any of various suitable materials,for example, an insulating material. For example, the matrix 125 may beformed to include an organic material.

Alternatively, the matrix 125 may be formed to include resin.

Alternatively, the matrix 125 may include a polymer material, forexample, acryl-based resin.

Alternatively, the matrix 125 may be formed of an adhesive material. Anyof various suitable adhesive materials, for example, adhesive resin, maybe used as the adhesive material that is included in the matrix 125. Inthis case, the optical functional layer 120 may be easily disposed onthe display panel 110. For example, as the matrix 125 contacts thedisplay panel 110, the optical functional layer 120 may be stablyadhered to the display panel 110.

The optical functional particles 121 may be colored, instead of beingtransparent or non-colored. For example, the optical functionalparticles 121 may include a chromatic material with a red or green tint.For example, the optical functional particles 121 may include a dyematerial with a red or green tint.

Alternatively, the optical functional particles 121 may include achromatic material having a red tint and a chromatic material having agreen tint. For example, the optical functional particles 121 may have astate where a chromatic material having a red tint and a chromaticmaterial having a green tint are mixed with each other.

For example, the optical functional particles 121 may include a dyematerial with a red or green tint formed on surfaces thereof.Alternatively, the optical functional particles 121 may include a dyematerial with a red or green tint formed not only on surfaces thereofbut also inside the optical functional particles 121.

The optical functional particles 121 may be formed by using any ofvarious suitable methods. The optical functional particles 121 may beformed by performing dyeing on organic particles, inorganic particles,or metal particles. Examples of the organic particles used to form theoptical functional particles 121 may include polymelamine, polystyrene,poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and polylactide, and examples of theinorganic particles used to form the optical functional particles 121may include silica, alumina, titania, glass, and ceramic.

Although the optical functional particles 121 that are included in theoptical functional layer 120 are colored, that is, include a chromaticmaterial with a red or green tint in FIG. 2, the present embodiment isnot limited thereto and optical functional particles that are unicoloredmay be optionally further included in the optical functional layer 120as shown in FIG. 3. The optical functional particles 124 may benon-colored, for example, may be transparent or white.

The display apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes the opticalfunctional layer 120 that is disposed over the display panel 110, thatis, on a side of the display panel 110 where an image is formed.

Also, the optical functional layer 120 includes the matrix 125 and theoptical functional particles 121 that are mixed with the matrix 125. Theoptical functional particles 121 are colored. The colored opticalfunctional particles 121 improve viewing angel characteristics of thedisplay apparatus 100 by scattering visible light that is formed on thedisplay panel 110. Also, color reproduction of the display apparatus 100may be improved by enabling the optical functional particles 121 to becolored, instead of being non-colored, that is, to have the same orsubstantially the same tint as a color of visible light that is formedon the display panel 110.

For example, the optical functional particles 121 may be colored to havea red or green tint. Alternatively, the optical functional particles 121may be dyed by mixing a dye material having a red tint and a dyematerial having a green tint so that the optical functional particles121 have a red or green tint. In this case, the optical functionalparticles 121 may absorb visible light having a red tint and visiblelight having a green tint from among visible light provided from thedisplay panel 110 and may transmit or diffuse visible light having ablue tint.

Accordingly, the quality of visible light having a blue tint, from amongvisible light that is provided from the display panel 110, may beimproved and color reproduction of the visible light with the blue tintmay be improved. Color reproduction may be improved by reducing a changein a difference between a refractive index of the matrix 125 and arefractive index of the optical functional particles 121 according to awavelength band of the visible light with the blue tint from among thevisible light that is formed on the display panel 110 by forming theoptical functional particles 121 by mixing a dye material having a redtint and a dye material having a green tint with each other.

Alternatively, viewing angle characteristics may be improved by usinglight scattering of the optical functional layer 120 by enabling theoptical functional particles 124 that are unicolored, for example, aretransparent or white, to be optionally included in the opticalfunctional layer 120.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus 200according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is anenlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion L of FIG. 4. FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 4 through 6, the display apparatus 200 includes adisplay panel 210 and an optical functional layer 220.

The display panel 210 displays an image to a user. That is, although notshown in FIGS. 4 through 6, the display panel 210 may include a displaydevice that may generate visible light that is provided to the user. Anyof various suitable devices, for example, an organic light-emittingdevice or an LCD device, may be used as the display device. Also, any ofvarious suitable types of display devices that may generate an image maybe selectively used as the display device that is included in thedisplay panel 210.

Although not shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, the display panel 210 providesan image upward, that is, from the bottom to the top in FIG. 4.

The optical functional layer 220 includes a matrix 225 and opticalfunctional particles 222.

The matrix 225 may function as a base for the optical functional layer220. The matrix 225 may be formed of any of various suitable materials,for example, an insulating material. For example, the matrix 225 may beformed to include resin.

Alternatively, the matrix 225 may include a polymer material, forexample, acryl-based resin.

Alternatively, the matrix 225 may be formed of an adhesive material. Anyof various suitable adhesive materials, for example, adhesive resin, maybe used as the adhesive material that is included in the matrix 225. Inthis case, the optical functional layer 220 may be easily disposed onthe display panel 210. For example, as the matrix 225 contacts thedisplay panel 210, the optical functional layer 220 may be stablyadhered to the display panel 210.

The optical functional particles 222 are colored, instead of beingtransparent or non-colored. For example, the optical functionalparticles 222 may include a chromatic material with a red or blue tint.For example, the optical functional particles 222 may include a dyematerial with a red or blue tint.

Alternatively, the optical functional particles 222 may include achromatic material having a red tint and a chromatic material having ablue tint. For example, the optical functional particles 222 may have astate where a chromatic material having a red tint and a chromaticmaterial having a blue tint are mixed with each other.

For example, the optical functional particles 222 may include a dyematerial with a red or blue tint formed on surfaces thereof.Alternatively, the optical functional particles 222 may include a dyematerial with a red or blue tint formed not only on surfaces thereof butalso inside the optical functional particles 222.

The optical functional particles 222 may be formed by using any ofvarious suitable methods. The optical functional particles 222 may beformed by performing dyeing on organic particles, inorganic particles,or metal particles. Examples of the organic particles used to form theoptical functional particles 222 may include polymelamine, polystyrene,PMMA, and polylactide, and examples of the inorganic particles used toform the optical functional particles 222 may include silica, alumina,titania, glass, and ceramic.

Although the optical functional particles 222 that are included in theoptical functional layer 220 include a chromatic material with a red orblue tint in FIG. 5, the present embodiment is not limited thereto andoptical functional particles 224 that are unicolored may be optionallyfurther included in the optical functional layer 220 as shown in FIG. 6.The optical functional particles 224 may be non-colored, for example,may be transparent or white.

The display apparatus 200 of the present embodiment includes the opticalfunctional layer 220 that is disposed over the display panel 210, thatis, on a side of the display panel 210 where an image is formed.

Also, the optical functional layer 220 includes the matrix 225 and theoptical functional particles 222 that are mixed with the matrix 225. Theoptical functional particles 222 are colored. The colored opticalfunctional particles 222 improve viewing angle characteristics of thedisplay apparatus 200 by scattering visible light that is formed on thedisplay panel 210. Also, color reproduction of the display apparatus 200may be improved by enabling the optical functional particles 222 to becolored, instead of, being non-colored, that is, to have the same orsubstantially the same tint as a color of the visible light that isformed on the display panel 210.

For example, the optical functional particles 222 may be colored to havea red or blue tint. Alternatively, the optical functional particles 222may be dyed by mixing a dye material having a red tint and a dyematerial having a blue tint so that the optical functional particles 222are colored to have red and blue tints. In this case. The opticalfunctional particles 222 may absorb visible light having a red tint andvisible light having a blue tint from among visible light that isprovided from the display panel 210 and may transmit or diffuse visiblelight having a green tint.

Accordingly, the quality of visible light having a green tint, fromamong visible light that is provided from the display panel 210, may beimproved and color reproduction of the visible light with the green tintmay be improved. Color reproduction may be improved by reducing a changein a difference between a refractive index of the matrix 225 and arefractive index of the optical functional particles 222 according to awavelength band of the visible light with the green tint from among thevisible light that is formed on the display panel 210 by forming theoptical functional particles 222 by mixing a dye material having a redtint and a dye material having a blue tint.

Alternatively, viewing angle characteristics may be improved by usinglight scattering of the optical functional layer 220 by enabling theoptical functional particles 224 that are unicolored, for example, aretransparent or white, to be optionally included in the opticalfunctional layer 220.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus 300according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is anenlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion M of FIG. 7. FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 7 through 9, the display apparatus 300 includes adisplay panel 310 and an optical functional layer 320.

The display panel 310 displays an image to a user. That is, although notshown in FIGS. 7 through 9, the display panel 310 may include a displaydevice that may generate visible light that is to be provided to theuser. Any of various suitable devices, for example, an organiclight-emitting device or an LCD device, may be used as the displaydevice. Also, any of various suitable types of display devices that maygenerate an image may be used as the display device that is included inthe display panel 310.

Although not shown in FIGS. 7 through 9, the display panel 310 providesan image upward, that is, from the bottom to the top in FIG. 4.

The optical functional layer 320 includes a matrix 325 and opticalfunctional particles 323.

The matrix 325 may function as a base for the optical functional layer320. The matrix 325 may be formed by using any of various suitablematerials, for example, an insulating material. For example, the matrix325 may be formed to include resin.

Alternatively, the matrix 325 may include a polymer material, forexample, acryl-based resin.

Alternatively, the matrix 325 may be formed of an adhesive material. Anyof various suitable adhesive materials, for example, adhesive resin, maybe used as the adhesive material that is included in the matrix 325. Inthis case, the optical functional layer 320 may be easily disposed onthe display panel 310. For example, as the matrix 325 contacts thedisplay panel 310, the optical functional layer 320 may be stablyadhered to the display panel 310.

The optical functional particles 323 are colored, instead of beingtransparent or non-colored. For example, the optical functionalparticles 323 may include a chromatic material with a green or bluetint. For example, the optical functional particles 323 may include adye material with a green or blue tint.

Alternatively, the optical functional particles 323 may include achromatic material having a green tint and a chromatic material having ablue tint. For example, the optical functional particles 323 may have astate where a chromatic material having a green tint and a chromaticmaterial having a blue tint are mixed with each other.

For example, the optical functional particles 323 may include a dyematerial with a green or blue tint formed on surfaces thereof.Alternatively, the optical functional particles 323 may include a dyematerial with a green or blue tint formed not only on surfaces thereofbut also inside the optical functional particles 323.

The optical functional particles 323 may be formed by using any ofvarious suitable methods. The optical functional particles 323 may beformed by performing dyeing on organic particles, inorganic particles,or metal particles. Examples of the organic particles used to form theoptical functional particles 323 may include polymelamine, polystyrene,PMMA, and polylactide, and examples of the inorganic particles used toform the optical functional particles 323 may include silica, alumina,titania, glass, and ceramic.

Although the optical functional particles 323 included in the opticalfunctional layer 320 are colored, that is, include a chromatic materialwith a green or blue tint, in FIG. 8, the present embodiment is notlimited thereto and optical functional particles 324 that are unicoloredmay also be optionally included in the optical functional layer 320 asshown in FIG. 9. The optical functional particles 324 may be non-colored(e.g., achromatic colored), for example, may be transparent or white.

The display apparatus 300 of the present embodiment includes the opticalfunctional layer 320 that is disposed over the display panel 310, thatis, on a side of the display panel 310 where an image is formed.

Also, the optical functional layer 320 includes the matrix 325 and theoptical functional particles 323 that are mixed with the matrix 325, andthe optical functional particles 323 are colored. The colored opticalfunctional particles 323 improve viewing angle characteristics of thedisplay apparatus 300 by scattering visible light that is formed on thedisplay panel 310. Also, color reproduction of the display apparatus 300may be improved by enabling the optical functional particles 323 to becolored, instead of being non-colored, that is, to have the same orsubstantially the same tint as a color of the visible light that isformed on the display panel 310.

For example, the optical functional particles 323 may be colored to havea green or blue tint. Alternatively, the optical functional particles323 may be dyed by mixing a dye material having a green tint and a dyematerial having a blue tint so that the optical functional particles 323are colored to have green and blue tints. In this case, the opticalfunctional particles 323 may absorb visible light having a green tintand visible light having a blue tint from among visible light that isprovided from the display panel 310.

Accordingly, the quality of visible light having a red tint, from amongvisible light that is provided from the display panel 310, may beimproved. For example, color reproduction may be improved by reducing achange in a difference between a refractive index of the matrix 325 anda refractive index of the optical functional particles 323 according toa wavelength band of the visible light with the red tint from among thevisible light that is formed on the display panel 310 by forming theoptical functional particles 323 by mixing a dye material having a greentint and a dye material having a blue tint.

Alternatively, viewing angle characteristics may be improved by usinglight scattering of the optical functional layer 320 by enabling theoptical functional particles 324 that are unicolored, for example, betransparent or white, to be optionally included in the opticalfunctional layer 320.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus 400according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is anenlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion N of FIG. 10. FIG.12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of FIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 10 through 12, the display apparatus 400 includes adisplay panel 410 and an optical functional layer 420.

The display panel 410 displays an image to a user. That is, although notshown in FIGS. 10 through 12, the display panel 410 may include adisplay device that may generate visible light that is to be provided tothe user. Any of various suitable devices, for example, an organiclight-emitting device or an LCD device, may be used as the displaydevice. Also, any of various suitable types of display devices that maygenerate an image may be used as the display device that is included inthe display panel 410.

Although not shown in FIGS. 10 through 12, the display panel 410provides an image upward, that is, from the bottom to the top in FIG. 4.

The optical functional layer 420 includes a matrix 425 and opticalfunctional particles.

The matrix 425 may function as a base for the optical functional layer420. The matrix 425 may be formed of any of various suitable materials,for example, an insulating material. For example, the matrix 425 may beformed to include resin.

Alternatively, the matrix 425 may include a polymer material, forexample, acryl-based resin.

Alternatively, the matrix 425 may be formed of an adhesive material. Anyof various suitable adhesive materials, for example, adhesive resin, maybe used as the adhesive material that is included in the matrix 425. Inthis case, the optical functional layer 420 may be easily disposed onthe display panel 410. For example, as the matrix 425 contacts thedisplay panel 410, the optical functional layer 420 may be stablyadhered to the display panel 410.

The optical functional particles are colored, instead of beingtransparent or non-colored. For example, the optical functionalparticles include first optical functional particles 421, second opticalfunctional particles 422, and third optical functional particles 423.

The first optical functional particles 421 may include a chromaticmaterial with a red or green tint. For example, the first opticalfunctional particles 421 may include a dye material with a red or greentint.

Alternatively, the first optical functional particles 421 may include achromatic material having a red tint and a chromatic material having agreen tint. For example, the first optical functional particles 421 mayhave a state where a chromatic material having a red tint and achromatic material having a green tint are mixed with each other.

For example, the first optical functional particles 421 may include adye material with a red or green tint formed on surfaces thereof.Alternatively, the first optical functional particles 421 may include adye material with a red or green tint formed not only on surfacesthereof but also inside the first optical functional particles 421.

The second optical functional particles 422 may include a chromaticmaterial with a red or blue tint. For example, the second opticalfunctional particles 422 may include a dye material with a red or bluetint.

Alternatively, the second optical functional particles 422 may include achromatic material having a red tint and a chromatic material having ablue tint. For example, the second optical functional particles 422 mayhave a state where a chromatic material having a red tint and achromatic material having a blue tint are mixed with each other.

For example, the second optical functional particles 422 may include adye material with a red or blue tint formed on surfaces thereof.Alternatively, the second optical functional particles 422 may include adye material with a red or blue tint formed not only on surfaces thereofbut also inside the second optical functional particles 422.

The third optical functional particles 423 may include a chromaticmaterial with a green or blue tint. For example, the third opticalfunctional particles 423 may include a dye material with a green or bluetint.

Alternatively, the third optical functional particles 423 may include achromatic material having a green tint and a chromatic material having ablue tint. For example, the third optical functional particles 423 mayhave a state where a chromatic material having a green tint and achromatic material having a blue tint are mixed with each other.

For example, the third optical functional particles 423 may include adye material with a green or blue tint formed on surfaces thereof.Alternatively, the third optical functional particles 423 may include adye material with a green or blue tint formed not only on surfacesthereof but also inside the third optical functional particles 423.

The first through third optical functional particles 421, 422, and 423may be formed by using any of various suitable methods. The firstthrough third optical functional particles 421, 422, and 423 may beformed by performing dyeing on organic particles, inorganic particles,or metal particles. Examples of the organic particles used to form thefirst through third optical functional particles 421, 422, and 423 mayinclude polymelamine, polystyrene, PMMA, and polylactide, and examplesof the inorganic particles used to form the first through third opticalfunctional particles 421, 422, and 423 may include silica, alumina,titania, glass, and ceramic.

Although the first through third optical functional particles 421, 422,and 423 included in the optical functional layer 420 include a chromaticmaterial in FIG. 11, the present embodiment is not limited thereto andoptical functional particles 424 that are unicolored may be optionallyfurther included in the optical functional layer 420 as shown in FIG.12. The optical functional particles 424 may be non-colored, forexample, may be transparent or white.

The display apparatus 400 of the present embodiment includes the opticalfunctional layer 420 that is disposed over the display panel 410, thatis, on a side of the display panel 410 where an image is formed.

Also, the optical functional layer 420 includes the matrix 425 and thefirst through third optical functional particles 421, 422, and 423 thatare mixed with the matrix 425. The first through third opticalfunctional particles 421, 422, and 423 are colored. The first throughthird colored optical functional particles 421, 422, and 423 improveviewing angle characteristics of the display apparatus 400 by scatteringvisible light that is formed on the display panel 410. Also, colorreproduction of the display apparatus 400 may be improved by enablingthe first through third optical functional particles 421, 422, and 423to be colored, instead of being non-colored, that is, to have the sameor substantially the same tint as a color of the visible light that isformed on the display panel 410.

For example, the first optical functional particles 421 may be coloredto have a red or green tint. Alternatively, the first optical functionalparticles 421 may be dyed by mixing a dye material having a red tint anda dye material having a green tint so that the first optical functionalparticles 421 are colored to have red and green tints. In this case, thefirst optical functional particles 421 may absorb visible light having ared tint and visible light having a green tint from among visible lightthat is provided from the display panel 410 and may transmit or diffusevisible light having a blue tint.

Accordingly, the quality of visible light having a blue tint, from amongvisible light that is provided from the display panel 410, may beimproved and color reproduction of the visible light with the blue tintmay be improved. Color reproduction may be improved by reducing a changein a difference between a refractive index of the matrix 425 and arefractive index of the first optical functional particles 421 accordingto a wavelength band of the visible light with the blue tint from amongthe visible light that is formed on the display panel 410 by forming thefirst optical functional particles 421 by mixing a dye material having ared tint and a dye material having a green tint.

For example, the second optical functional particles 422 may be coloredto have a red or blue tint. Alternatively, the second optical functionalparticles 422 may be dyed by mixing a dye material having a red tint anda dye material having a blue tint so that the second optical functionalparticles 422 are colored to have red and blue tints. In this case, thesecond optical functional particles 422 may absorb visible light havinga red tint and visible light having a blue tint from among visible lightthat is provided from the display panel 410 and may transmit or diffusevisible light having a green tint.

Accordingly, the quality of visible light having a green tint, fromamong visible light that is provided from the display panel 410, may beimproved and color reproduction of the visible light with the green tintmay be improved. Color reproduction may be improved by reducing a changein a difference between a refractive index of the matrix 425 and arefractive index of the second optical functional particles 422according to a wavelength band of the visible light with the green tintfrom among the visible light that is formed on the display panel 410 byforming the second optical functional particles 422 by mixing a dyematerial having a red tint and a dye material having a blue tint.

For example, the third optical functional particles 423 may be coloredto have a green or blue tint. Alternatively, the third opticalfunctional particles 423 may be dyed by mixing a dye material having agreen tint and a dye material having a blue tint so that the thirdoptical functional particles 423 are colored to have green and bluetints. In this case, the third optical functional particles 423 mayabsorb visible light having a green tint and visible light having a bluetint from among visible light that is provided from the display panel410 and may transmit or diffuse visible light having a red tint.

Accordingly, the quality of visible light having a red tint, from amongvisible light that is provided from the display panel 410, may beimproved and color reproduction of the visible light with the red tintmay be improved. Color reproduction may be improved by reducing a changein a difference between a refractive index of the matrix 425 and arefractive index of the third optical functional particles 423 accordingto a wavelength band of the visible light with the blue tint from amongthe visible light that is formed on the display panel 410 by forming thethird optical functional particles 423 by mixing a dye material having agreen tint and a dye material having a blue tint.

The first through third optical functional particles 421, 422, and 423may include all of the optical functional particles 121 of FIGS. 1 and2, the optical functional particles 222 of FIGS. 4 and 5, and theoptical functional particles 323 of FIGS. 7 and 8. However, the presentembodiment is not limited thereto, and the first through third opticalfunctional particles 421, 422, and 423 may include only two from amongthe optical functional particles 121 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the opticalfunctional particles 222 of FIGS. 4 and 5, and the optical functionalparticles 323 of FIGS. 7 and 8.

Alternatively, viewing angle characteristics may be improved by usinglight scattering of the optical functional layer 420 by enabling theoptical functional particles 424 that are unicolored, for example, aretransparent or white, to be optionally further included in the opticalfunctional layer 420.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus 500according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is anenlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion O of FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the display apparatus 500 includes adisplay panel 510, an optical functional layer 520, and a polarizationlayer 530.

The optical functional layer 520 includes a matrix 525 and opticalfunctional particles.

The display panel 510 and the optical functional layer 520 of FIGS. 13and 14 correspond to the display panel 410 and the optical functionallayer 420 of FIGS. 10 and 11, and thus a detailed explanation thereofwill not be given. Although not shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, thedescription of FIGS. 1 through 3, the description of FIGS. 4 through 6,the description of FIGS. 7 through 9, and/or the description of FIG. 12may apply to the optical functional layer 520.

The optical functional layer 520 is disposed between the polarizationlayer 530 and the display panel 510. For example, the matrix 525 of theoptical functional layer 520 may contact one surface of the displaypanel 510 and one surface of the polarization layer 530, and thus thedisplay panel 510, the optical functional layer 520, and thepolarization layer 530 may be stably adhered to one another.

Also, like in the previous embodiments of the present invention, imagequality characteristics of the display apparatus 500 may be improved byimproving viewing angle effect and color reproduction by using lightscattering of the optical functional layer 520.

As described above in the previous embodiments of the present invention,the optical functional particles may be formed by using any of varioussuitable chromatic materials.

For example, the optical functional particles may be formed by usingvarious suitable dyes or pigments.

When the optical functional particles are formed to include a chromaticmaterial having a red tint, the optical functional particles may beformed by using a dye having a red tint such as C.I. Pigment Red 7, 9,14, 41, 48:1, 48:2, 48:3, 48:4, 81.1, 81.2, 81.3, 97, 122, 123, 146,149, 168, 177, 178, 180, 184, 185, 187, 192, 200, 202, 208, 210, 215,216, 217, 220, 223, 224, 226, 227, 228, 240, 246, 254, 255, 264, or 272.Alternatively, a dye with a yellow or orange tint may also be usedtogether.

When the optical functional particles are formed to include a chromaticmaterial having a green tint, the optical functional particles may beformed by using a dye having a green tint such as C.I. Pigment Green 7,10, 36, or 37.

When the optical functional particles are formed to include a chromaticmaterial having a blue tint, the optical functional particles may beformed by using a dye having a blue tint such as C.I. Pigment Blue 15,15:1, 15:2, 15:3, 15:4, 15:5, 16, 22, 60, or 64. Alternatively, a dyewith a purple tint such as C.I. Pigment Violet 1, 19, 23, 27, 29, 30,32, 37, 40, 42, or 50 may also be used.

Also, one or more selected from, for example, AcidRed138 (see thefollowing chemical formula), Green3 (see the following chemicalformula), and Blue97 (see the following chemical formula), may be usedas a chromatic material used to form the optical functional particles.

Acid Red 138:

-   disodium    5-(acetylamino)-3-[(4-dodecylphenyl)azo]-4-hydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulphonate

Green 3:

-   1,4-bis(p-tolylamino)anthraquinone

Blue 97:

-   1,4-Bis[(2,6-diethyl-4-methylphenyl)amino]anthraquinone;    1,4-Bis(2,6-diethyl-4-methylanilino)anthraquinone; or    N,N′-Bis(2,6-diethyl-4-methylphenyl)-1,4-diaminoanthraquinone

Also, the optical functional particles may be formed by using any ofvarious suitable methods. For example, a method of dipping unicoloredparticles in the chromatic material may be performed. Alternatively, anyof various other suitable coating methods may be used.

FIGS. 15, 16A, 16B, and 17 are graphs for explaining image qualitycharacteristics of a display apparatus, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 15 will be first explained. In FIG. 15, the X-axis represents awavelength of visible light and the Y-axis represents a refractiveindex.

Graph C of FIG. 15 shows a relationship between a refractive index and awavelength of visible light for a matrix of an optical functional layeraccording to any of the previous embodiments of the present invention.For example, the graph C shows a relationship between a refractive indexand a wavelength of visible light that is formed on a display panel.Referring to the graph C of FIG. 15, a refractive index decreases as awavelength of visible light increases.

A graph A of FIG. 15 shows a relationship between a refractive index anda wavelength of visible light for optical functional particles of anoptical functional layer according to any of the previous embodiments ofthe present invention, for example, the first through third opticalfunctional particles 421, 422, and 423 of the optical functional layer420 of FIGS. 10 and 11. For example, the graph A of FIG. 15 shows arelationship between a refractive index and a wavelength of visiblelight that is formed on a display panel. Referring to the graph A ofFIG. 15, a refractive index decreases as a wavelength of visible lightincreases.

A graph B of FIG. 15 shows a relationship between a refractive index anda wavelength of visible light for optical functional particles of anoptical functional layer when the optical functional particles areunicolored, instead of being colored, that is, are transparent or white.For example, the graph B of FIG. 15 shows a relationship between arefractive index and a wavelength of visible light that is formed on adisplay panel. Referring to the graph B of FIG. 15, a refractive indexdecreases as a wavelength of visible light increases.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is a difference of a refractive indexbetween a matrix and optical functional particles. Also, the differenceof the refractive index varies according to a wavelength of visiblelight. For example, in the graph B compared to the graph A of FIG. 15, adifference of a refractive index between an optical functional layer anda matrix greatly varies according to a wavelength of visible light andin the graph A, a difference of a refractive index between an opticalfunctional layer and a matrix is almost constant. That is, when opticalfunctional particles of the present embodiment are used, since adifference of a refractive index between a matrix and an opticalfunctional layer is almost constant irrespective of a wavelength ofvisible light, a change in color reproduction according to thewavelength of visible light may be reduced, thereby improving imagequality characteristics.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are detailed graphs of FIG. 15.

First, FIG. 16A shows a difference between the graphs B and C of FIG.15, that is, a difference of a refractive index between an opticalfunctional layer and a matrix of the graph B by precisely adjustingscales of the X-axis and the Y-axis compared to FIG. 15. Referring toFIG. 16A, a difference of a refractive index between an opticalfunctional layer and a matrix greatly varies according to a wavelengthof visible light. For example, a difference of a refractive indexbetween an optical functional layer and a matrix decreases as awavelength of visible light increases.

FIG. 16B shows a difference between the graphs A and C of FIG. 15, thatis, a difference of a refractive index between an optical functionallayer and a matrix by precisely adjusting scales of the X-axis and theY-axis compared to FIG. 15. Referring to FIG. 16B, a difference of arefractive index between an optical functional layer and a matrixslightly varies according to a wavelength of visible light. A differenceof a refractive index between an optical functional layer and a matrixis almost constant irrespective of a wavelength of visible light.

FIG. 17 is a color coordinate system illustrating color reproductioncharacteristics of a display apparatus when an optical functional layeris used. A graph A shows color coordinate characteristics of the displayapparatus when optical functional particles of the optical functionallayer are unicolored, instead of being colored, that is, are transparentor white. A graph B shows color coordinate characteristics of thedisplay apparatus when the optical functional particles of the opticalfunctional layer are colored, that is, when the optical functional layeraccording to any of the previous embodiments of the present invention,for example, the optical functional layer 420 of FIGS. 10 and 11, isincluded. A graph C shows reference color coordinate characteristics.

When the optical functional layer according to the previous embodimentsof the present invention is included as shown in FIG. 17, the colordisplay apparatus may have color coordinate characteristics that arealmost the same as the reference color coordinate characteristics.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus 600according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is across-sectional view illustrating a portion P of FIG. 18.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the display apparatus 600 includes adisplay panel 610 and an optical functional layer 620.

The display panel 610 displays an image to a user. The display panel 610may include a display device 650 that may generate visible light that isto be provided to the user. Any of various suitable devices may be usedas the display device 650. In the present embodiment, it is assumed thatthe display device 650 is an organic light-emitting device.

The display panel 600 will be explained in detail. The display panel 600includes a substrate 601, the display device 650, and an encapsulationmember 670.

The substrate 601 may be formed of any of various suitable materials.For example, the substrate 601 may be formed of a transparent glassmaterial having SiO₂ as a main component. Alternatively, the substrate601 may be formed of a transparent plastic material.

The display device 650 is formed on the substrate 601, and includes afirst electrode 651, a second electrode 652, and an intermediate layer653. For example, the first electrode 651 is formed on the substrate601, the second electrode 652 is formed on the first electrode 651, andthe intermediate layer 653 is formed between the first electrode 651 andthe second electrode 652.

Although not shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a buffer layer (not shown) may befurther formed on the first electrode 651 and the substrate 601. Thebuffer layer may provide a planarized surface on the substrate 601, andmay prevent or reduce moisture or gas from penetrating the substrate601.

The first electrode 651 may function as an anode and the secondelectrode 652 may function as a cathode. However, polarities of thefirst electrode 651 and the second electrode 652 may be reversed.

When the first electrode 651 functions as an anode, the first electrode651 may include ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In₂O₃ having a high work function.According to the purposes and design conditions, the first electrode 651may further include a reflective film formed of silver (Ag), magnesium(Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel(Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li),ytterbium (Yb), or calcium (Ca).

When the second electrode 652 functions as a cathode, the secondelectrode 652 may be formed of a metal such as Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au,Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, Li, or Ca. Alternatively, the second electrode 652 mayinclude ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In₂O₃ in order to allow light to passtherethrough.

The intermediate layer 653 includes at least one organic light-emittinglayer. Also, the intermediate layer 653 may include at least oneselected from a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer(HTL), an electron transport layer (ETL), and an electron injectionlayer (EIL), in addition to the organic light-emitting layer.

When a voltage is applied to the first electrode 651 and the secondelectrode 652, the intermediate layer 653 (i.e., the organiclight-emitting layer of the intermediate layer 653) generates visiblelight.

The encapsulation member 670 is disposed on the display device 650 toprotect the display device 650. The encapsulation member 670 may protectthe display device 650 from external impact, and reduce or preventpenetration of an external material or moisture.

The encapsulation member 670 may be formed of any of various suitablematerials. For example, the encapsulation member 670 may be formed of atransparent glass material having SiO₂ as a main component.

Alternatively, the encapsulation member 670 may be formed of a glassmaterial through which light may pass.

Alternatively, the encapsulation member 670 may be formed by using aninorganic film or an organic film.

Alternatively, the encapsulation member 670 may be formed by stacking atleast one organic film and at least one inorganic film. In this case,the encapsulation member 670 may be formed by selectively alternatelystacking the at least one organic film and the at least one inorganicfilm.

Although not shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the display panel 610 provides animage upward, that is, toward the optical functional layer 620 in FIG.19.

The optical functional layer 620 includes a matrix (not shown) andoptical functional particles (not shown). The optical functional layer620 may correspond to one of the optical functional layers 120, 220,320, 420, and 520 of the previous embodiments of the present invention,and thus a detailed explanation thereof will not be given.

The display panel 610 may include a thin-film transistor (TFT) thattransmits a necessary signal to the display device 650 in order to drivethe display device 650, which will be explained in detail with referenceto FIG. 20.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of FIG.19. Referring to FIG. 20, the display panel 610 includes the substrate601, the display device 650, a TFT, and the encapsulation member 670.

The TFT includes an active layer 603, a gate electrode 605, a sourceelectrode 607, and a drain electrode 608.

A detailed explanation will now be made.

A buffer layer 602 may be formed on the substrate 601. The buffer layer602 that prevents or substantially prevents impurity elements frompenetrating the substrate 601 and provides a planarized surface on thesubstrate 601 may be formed of any of various suitable materials. Thebuffer layer 602 is an optional element and thus may be omitted in someembodiments.

The active layer 603 is disposed on the buffer layer 602 and may have apattern (e.g., a predetermined pattern). The active layer 603 may beformed of an inorganic semiconductor material such as silicon.Alternatively, the active layer 603 may be formed of an organicsemiconductor material or an oxide semiconductor material.

The gate insulating film 606 is formed on the active layer 603. The gateinsulating film 606 may be formed of any of various suitable insulatingmaterials, for example, oxide or nitride.

The gate electrode 605 is formed on a gate insulating film 606 tocorrespond to the active layer 603 (e.g., a predetermined portion of theactive layer 603). The gate electrode 605 may be formed of a materialhaving high conductivity. For example, the gate electrode 605 mayinclude Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, Pt, Pd, Al, or molybdenum (Mo), or an alloy suchas Al:Nd or Mo:W. However, the present embodiment is not limitedthereto, and the gate electrode 605 may be formed of any of variousother suitable materials.

An interlayer insulating film 609 is formed to cover the gate electrode605.

The source electrode 607 and the drain electrode 608 are formed on theinterlayer insulating film 609. The source electrode 607 and the drainelectrode 608 are formed to contact the active layer 603 (e.g.,predetermined portions of the active layer 603).

A passivation layer 643 is formed to cover the source electrode 607 andthe drain electrode 608. Although not shown in FIG. 20, an insulatingfilm may be further formed on the passivation layer 643 to planarize theTFT.

Although not shown in FIG. 20, at least one TFT, that may be coupled(e.g., electrically connected, connected, or electrically coupled) tothe display device 650, may also be provided, and at least one capacitorthat may be coupled to the display device 650 or the TFT may also beprovided.

The first electrode 651 is formed on the passivation layer 643. Thefirst electrode 651 is coupled to one of the source electrode 607 andthe drain electrode 608. For example, the first electrode 651 is coupledto the drain electrode 608.

A pixel-defining film 660 is formed on the first electrode 651 to exposea portion of the first electrode 651 (e.g., a predetermined portion ofthe first electrode 651).

The intermediate layer 653 is formed on the first electrode 651. Theintermediate layer 653 includes an organic light-emitting layer.Alternatively, the intermediate layer 653 may further include at leastone selected from an HIL, an HTL, an ETL, and an EIL, in addition to theorganic light-emitting layer.

The second electrode 652 is formed on the intermediate layer 653.

The encapsulation member 670 is disposed on the display device 650 toprotect the display device 650.

The display apparatus 600 of the present embodiment and the modificationthereof include the optical functional layer 620 that is disposed overthe display panel 610, that is, on a side of the display panel 610 wherean image is formed.

Also, color reproduction of the display apparatus 600 may be improved byusing the optical functional layer 620.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus 700according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is anenlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion Q of FIG. 21.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the display apparatus 700 includes adisplay panel 710, an optical functional layer 720, and a polarizationlayer 730.

The display panel 710 includes at least one subpixel. The subpixel mayinclude at least one display device 750. Any of various suitable devicesmay be used as the display device 750. In the present embodiment, it isassumed that the display device 750 is an organic light-emitting device.

The display panel 710 will be explained in detail. The display panel 700includes one or more subpixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 that are formed on asubstrate 701 and an encapsulation member 770. Each of the subpixelsSP1, SP2, and SP3 may include the display device 750.

The substrate 701 may be formed of any of various suitable materials.For example, the substrate 701 may be formed of a transparent glassmaterial having SiO₂ as a main component. Alternatively, the substrate701 may be formed of a transparent plastic material.

The subpixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 are disposed on the substrate 701.

The subpixel SP1 includes a first electrode 751, a second electrode 752,and an intermediate layer 753R. For example, the first electrode 751 isformed on the substrate 701, the second electrode 752 is formed on thefirst electrode 751, and the intermediate layer 753R is formed betweenthe first electrode 751 and the second electrode 752.

Although not shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a buffer layer (not shown) may befurther formed on the first electrode 751 and the substrate 701. Thebuffer layer may provide a planarized surface on the substrate 701 andmay prevent or reduce moisture or gas from penetrating the substrate701. In this case, the buffer layer may be formed on the substrate 701to be shared by the subpixels SP1, SP2, and SP3.

The intermediate layer 753R includes at least one organic light-emittinglayer. Also, the intermediate layer 753R generates visible light havinga red tint. The intermediate layer 753R may include at least oneselected from an HIL, an HTL, an ETL, and an EIL, in addition to theorganic light-emitting layer.

The subpixel SP2 includes the first electrode 751, the second electrode752, and an intermediate layer 753G. For example, the first electrode751 is formed on the substrate 701, the second electrode 752 is formedon the first electrode 751, and the intermediate layer 753G is formedbetween the first electrode 751 and the second electrode 752.

The intermediate layer 753G includes at least one organic light-emittinglayer. Also, the intermediate layer 753G may generate visible lighthaving a green tint. The intermediate layer 753G may include at leastone selected from an HIL, an HTL, an ETL, and an EIL, in addition to theorganic light-emitting layer.

The subpixel SP3 includes the first electrode 751, the second electrode752, and an intermediate layer 753B. For example, the first electrode751 is formed on the substrate 701, the second electrode 752 is formedon the first electrode 751, and the intermediate layer 753B is formedbetween the first electrode 751 and the second electrode 752.

The intermediate layer 753B includes at least one organic light-emittinglayer. Also, the intermediate layer 753B may generate visible lighthaving a blue tint. The intermediate layer 753B may include at least oneselected from an HIL, an HTL, an ETL, and an EIL, in addition to theorganic light-emitting layer.

Although the second electrode 752 is separately formed for each of thesubpixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 in FIG. 22, the present embodiment is notlimited thereto and the second electrode 752 may be commonly formed inthe subpixels SP1, SP2, and SP3.

The first electrode 751 and the second electrode 752 correspond to thosedescribed in the previous embodiments of the present invention, and thusa detailed explanation thereof will not be given.

The encapsulation member 770 is disposed over the display devices 750 toprotect the subpixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. The encapsulation member 770may protect the display devices 750 from external impact, and may reduceor prevent penetration of an external material or moisture.

The encapsulation member 770 corresponds to that described in theprevious embodiments of the present invention, and thus a detailedexplanation thereof will not be given.

Although not shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the display panel 710 provides animage upward, that is, toward the optical functional layer 720 in FIG.22.

The optical functional layer 720 includes a matrix 725 and opticalfunctional particles.

The matrix 725 may function as a base for the optical functional layer720. The matrix 725 may be formed of any of various suitable materials,for example, an insulating material. For example, the matrix 725 may beformed to include resin.

Alternatively, the matrix 725 may include a polymer material, forexample, acryl-based resin.

Alternatively, the matrix 725 may be formed of an adhesive material. Anyof various suitable adhesive materials, for example, adhesive resin, maybe used as the adhesive material that is included in the matrix 725.Accordingly, the optical functional layer 720 may be easily disposed onthe display panel 710. For example, as the matrix 725 contacts thedisplay panel 710, the optical functional layer 720 may be stablyadhered to the display panel 710.

Also, due to the adhesiveness of the matrix 725, the polarization layer730 that is disposed on the optical functional layer 720 may be stablyadhered to the optical functional layer 720.

The optical functional particles are colored, instead of beingtransparent or non-colored. For example, the optical functionalparticles include first optical functional particles 721, second opticalfunctional particles 722, and third optical functional particles 723.

The first optical functional particles 721 may include a chromaticmaterial with a red or green tint. For example, the first opticalfunctional particles 721 may include a dye material with a red or greentint.

Alternatively, the first optical functional particles 721 may include achromatic material having a red tint and a chromatic material having agreen tint. For example, the first optical functional particles 721 mayhave a state where a chromatic material having a red tint and achromatic material having a green tint are mixed with each other.

For example, the first optical functional particles 721 may include adye material with a red or green tint formed on surfaces thereof.Alternatively, the first optical functional particles 721 may include adye material with a red or green tint formed not only on surfacesthereof but also inside the first optical functional particles 721.

The second optical functional particles 722 may include a chromaticmaterial with a red or blue tint. For example, the second opticalfunctional particles 722 may include a dye material with a red or bluetint.

Alternatively, the second optical functional particles 722 may include achromatic material having a red tint and a chromatic material having ablue tint. For example, the second optical functional particles 722 mayhave a state where a chromatic material having a red tint and achromatic material having a blue tint are mixed with each other.

For example, the second optical functional particles 722 may include adye material with a red or blue tint formed on surfaces thereof.Alternatively, the second optical functional particles 722 may include adye material with a red or blue tint formed not only on surfaces thereofbut also inside the second optical functional particles 722.

The third optical functional particles 723 may include a chromaticmaterial with a green or blue tint. For example, the third opticalfunctional particles 723 may have a state where a chromatic materialhaving a green tint and a color material having a blue tint are mixedwith each other.

For example, the third optical functional particles 723 may include adye material with a green or blue tint formed on surfaces thereof.Alternatively, the third optical functional particles 723 may include adye material with a green or blue tint formed not only on surfacesthereof but also inside the third optical functional particles 723.

The first through third optical functional particles 721, 722, and 723may be formed by using any of various suitable methods. The firstthrough third optical functional particles 721, 722, and 723 may beformed by performing dyeing on organic particles, inorganic particles,or metal particles. Examples of the organic particles used to form thefirst through third optical functional particles 721, 722, and 723 mayinclude polymelamine, polystyrene, PMMA, and polylactide, and examplesof the inorganic particles used to form the first through third opticalfunctional particles 721, 722, and 723 may include silica, alumina,titania, glass, and ceramic.

Also, any of various suitable dyes described in the previous embodimentsof the present invention may be used during dyeing performed in orderfor the first through third optical functional particles 721, 722, and723 of the optical functional layer 720 to be colored.

Also, the first through third optical functional particles 721, 722, and723 may be formed by using any of various suitable methods. For example,a method of dipping organic particles, inorganic particles, or metalparticles in any of various suitable chromatic materials described inthe previous embodiments of the present invention may be performed.Alternatively, any of various other suitable coating methods may beused.

Although the first through third optical functional particles 721, 722,and 723 included in the optical functional layer 720 include a chromaticmaterial in FIG. 22, the present embodiment is not limited thereto andoptical functional particles (not shown) that are unicolored may befurther included in the optical functional layer 720. In this case, theoptical functional particles that are unicolored may be non-colored, forexample, may be transparent or white.

The polarization layer 730 may be disposed over the optical functionallayer 720. Alternatively, the polarization layer 730 may be disposed onthe optical functional layer 720 to be adhered to, that is, to contactthe optical functional layer 720.

The display apparatus 700 of the present embodiment includes the opticalfunctional layer 720 that is disposed over the display panel 710, thatis, on a side of the display panel 710 where an image is formed.

Also, the optical functional layer 720 includes the matrix 725 and thefirst through third optical functional particles 721, 722, and 723 thatare mixed with the matrix 725. The first through third opticalfunctional particles 721, 722, and 723 are colored. The first throughthird colored optical functional particles 721, 722, and 723 improveviewing angle characteristics of the display apparatus 700 by scatteringvisible light that is formed on the display panel 710. Also, colorreproduction of the display apparatus 700 may be improved by enablingthe first through third optical functional particles 721, 722, and 723to be colored, instead of being non-colored, that is, to have the sameor substantially the same tint as a color of the visible light that isformed on the display panel 710.

For example, the first optical functional particles 721 may be coloredto have a red or green tint. Alternatively, the first optical functionalparticles 721 may be dyed by mixing a dye material having a red tint anda dye material having a green tint by enabling the first opticalfunctional particles 721 to be colored to have red and green tints. Inthis case, the first optical functional particles 721 may absorb visiblelight having a red tint that is provided from the subpixel SP1 of thedisplay panel 710 and visible light having a green tint that is providedfrom the subpixel SP2, and may transmit or diffuse visible light havinga blue tint that is provided from the subpixel SP3.

Accordingly, the quality of visible light having a blue tint from amongvisible light that is provided from the display panel 710 may beimproved. For example, color reproduction may be improved by reducing achange in a difference between a refractive index of the matrix 725 anda refractive index of the first optical functional particles 721according to a wavelength band of the visible light with the blue tintfrom among the visible light that is formed on the display panel 710 byforming the first optical functional particles 721 by mixing a dyematerial having a red tint and a dye material having a green tint.

Also, the second optical functional particles 722 may be colored to havea red or blue tint. Alternatively, the second optical functionalparticles 722 may be dyed by mixing a dye material having a red tint anda dye material having a blue tint by enabling the second opticalfunctional particles 722 to be colored to have red and blue tints. Inthis case, the second optical functional particles 722 may absorbvisible light having a red tint that is provided from the subpixel SP1of the display panel 710 and visible light having a blue tint that isprovided from the subpixel SP3, and may transmit or diffuse visiblelight having a green tint that is provided from the subpixel SP2.

Accordingly, the quality of visible light having a green tint from amongvisible light that is provided from the display panel 710 may beimproved. For example, color reproduction may be improved by reducing achange in a difference between a refractive index of the matrix 725 anda refractive index of the second optical functional particles 722according to a wavelength band of the visible light with the green tintfrom among the visible light that is formed on the display panel 710 byforming the second optical functional particles 722 by mixing a dyematerial having a red tint and a dye material having a blue tint.

Also, the third optical functional particles 723 may be colored to havea green or blue tint. Alternatively, the third optical functionalparticles 723 may be dyed by mixing a dye material having a green tintand a dye material having a blue tint to be colored to have green andblue tints. In this case, the third optical functional particles 723 mayabsorb visible light having a green tint that is provided from thesubpixel SP2 of the display panel 710 and visible light having a bluetint that is provided from the subpixel SP3, and may transmit or diffusevisible light having a red tint that is provided from the subpixel SP1.

Accordingly, the quality of visible light having a red tint, from amongvisible light that is provided from the display panel 710, may beimproved and color reproduction of the visible light with the red tintmay be improved. Color reproduction may be improved by reducing a changein a difference between a refractive index of the matrix 725 and arefractive index of the third optical functional particles 723 accordingto a wavelength band of the visible light with the red tint from amongthe visible light that is formed on the display panel 710 by forming thethird optical functional particles 723 by mixing a dye material having agreen tint and a dye material having a blue tint.

Although not shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the display panel 710 may furtherinclude a TFT that transmits a necessary signal to the display device750 in order to drive the display device 750.

As described above, according to the one or more of the previousembodiments of the present invention, a display apparatus havingimproved image quality characteristics may be provided.

While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to thefigures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat various changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention as definedby the following claims and their equivalents. Accordingly, the truetechnical scope of the present invention is defined by the technicalspirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus for displaying an image to auser, the display apparatus comprising: a display panel configured togenerate visible light, the display panel comprising a first sub-pixelconfigured to emit light of a first color and a second sub-pixelconfigured to emit light of a second color different from the firstcolor; and an optical functional layer arranged apart from the firstsub-pixel and the second sub-pixel, the first sub-pixel being configuredto emit the light of the first color to the optical functional layer,and the second sub-pixel being configured to emit the light of thesecond color to the optical functional layer, the optical functionallayer being configured to receive the light of the first color and thelight of the second color, the optical functional layer comprising: amatrix mixed with a plurality of optical functional particles that arecolored, wherein the optical functional layer is at a side of thedisplay panel such that at least a part of the visible light from thedisplay panel would pass through the optical functional layer, whereinthe plurality of optical functional particles comprises at least firstoptical functional particles and second optical functional particles,each overlapping the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel, andwherein the first optical functional particles are configured to absorbthe light of the first color and to transmit and diffuse the light ofthe second color, and the second optical functional particles areconfigured to absorb the light of the second color and to transmit anddiffuse the light of the first color.
 2. The display apparatus of claim1, wherein the plurality of optical functional particles are configuredto absorb visible light of at least one color, and to transmit ordiffuse visible light of other colors, from among the visible lightgenerated by the display panel.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the plurality of optical functional particles have a same tintas at least one color of visible light generated by the display panel.4. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of opticalfunctional particles comprises a chromatic material of one color and/ora chromatic material of an other color.
 5. The display apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the chromatic material of the one color and/or thechromatic material of the other color comprises a dye material.
 6. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 4, wherein the chromatic material of the onecolor and the chromatic material of the other color are mixed with eachother.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein the chromaticmaterial of the one color and/or the chromatic material of the othercolor is formed on surfaces of the plurality of optical functionalparticles.
 8. The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein the chromaticmaterial of the one color and/or the chromatic material of the othercolor is formed inside the plurality of optical functional particles. 9.The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein the chromatic material of theone color and the chromatic material of the other color have differentcolors selected from among red, green, and blue.
 10. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first optical functional particlescomprise a first chromatic material of a first color or a secondchromatic material of a second color that is different from the firstcolor of the first chromatic material, and wherein the second opticalfunctional particles comprise a chromatic material of the first color ofthe first chromatic material or a chromatic material of a third colorthat is different from the first color of the first chromatic material.11. The display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of opticalfunctional particles further comprises third optical functionalparticles, and wherein the third optical functional particles comprise achromatic material of the second color of the second chromatic materialor a chromatic material of the third color.
 12. The display apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the first color of the first chromatic material, thesecond color of the second chromatic material, and the third color arerespectively red, green, and blue.
 13. The display apparatus of claim12, wherein the first optical functional particles comprise a red dyematerial and a green dye material, wherein the second optical functionalparticles comprise a red dye material and a blue dye material, andwherein the third optical functional particles comprise a green dyematerial and a blue dye material.
 14. The display apparatus of claim 1,further comprising optical functional particles that are transparent orwhite.
 15. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the matrixcomprises an organic material.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a polarization layer on the optical functionallayer, wherein the optical functional layer is between the display paneland the polarization layer, and wherein the matrix contacts thepolarization layer and the display panel.
 17. The display apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the display panel comprises at least one displaydevice, and wherein the at least one display device comprises: a firstelectrode, a second electrode, and an intermediate layer between thefirst electrode and the second electrode and configured to generatevisible light.
 18. A display apparatus for displaying an image to auser, the display apparatus comprising: a display panel comprising aplurality of subpixels comprising a first subpixel configured to emitlight of a first color and a second subpixel configured to emit light ofa second color different from the first color; and an optical functionallayer arranged apart from the first subpixel and the second subpixel,the first subpixel being configured to emit the light of the first colorto the optical functional layer, and the second subpixel beingconfigured to emit the light of the second color to the opticalfunctional layer, the optical functional layer being configured toreceive the light of the first color and the light of the second color,the optical functional layer comprising a matrix mixed with a pluralityof optical functional particles that are colored, wherein the opticalfunctional layer is configured to absorb visible light generated by atleast one subpixel of the plurality of subpixels; and to transmit ordiffuse visible light generated by another subpixel of the plurality ofsubpixels, wherein the plurality of optical functional particlescomprises at least first optical functional particles and second opticalfunctional particles, each overlapping the first subpixel and the secondsubpixel, and wherein the first optical functional particles areconfigured to absorb the light of the first color and to transmit anddiffuse the light of the second color, and the second optical functionalparticles are configured to absorb the light of the second color and totransmit and diffuse the light of the first color.
 19. The displayapparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of subpixels furthercomprises: a third subpixel, wherein the first subpixel, the secondsubpixel and the third subpixel are configured to generate visible lightof different colors; wherein the plurality of optical functionalparticles further comprises: third optical functional particles, whereinthe first optical functional particles are configured to absorb visiblelight generated by the first subpixel and the second subpixel and totransmit and diffuse at least a part of visible light generated by thethird subpixel, wherein the second optical functional particles areconfigured to absorb visible light generated by the first subpixel andthe third subpixel and to transmit and diffuse at least a part ofvisible light generated by the second subpixel, and wherein the thirdoptical functional particles are configured to absorb visible lightgenerated by the second subpixel and the third subpixel and to transmitand diffuse at least a part of visible light generated by the firstsubpixel.
 20. The display apparatus of claim 19, wherein the firstsubpixel is configured to generate visible light having a red tint,wherein the second subpixel is configured to generate visible lighthaving a green tint, and wherein the third subpixel is configured togenerate visible light having a blue tint.